Call Mr. Robeson

Author-performer Tayo Aluko's one-man show about the great Paul Robeson is at its best when it is being most political. Most people today know Robeson only for his brilliant performance as Joe in the 1936 film of "Show Boat," particularly for his stirring rendition of "Old Man River." But Robeson was an American hero, a principled political activist who fought not only against racism but also for economic justice for all. Aluko's award-winning show is powerful and informative in detailing the man's determined struggle against injustice and inequality.

Aluko also sings a number of songs associated with Robeson and discusses his personal life, but these elements don't work as well, largely due to the fact that although Aluko is a good singer, he can't begin to fill Robeson's shoes, he is physically nothing like the towering original, and his acting tends to be on the stiff side, under Olusola Oyeleye's perhaps too-respectful direction.

Phil Newman's metaphorical set of scattered pieces of Robeson's life never quite coheres dramatically, but Dennis A. Nelson does a fine job of accompaniment on the piano. Robeson's battles are far from won, and "Call Mr. Robeson" (the title is a reference to his appearance before the House Un-American Activities Committee during the McCarthy witch hunt) stirringly reminds us of exactly that.

Self-presented as part of the New York International Fringe Festival at the Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, NYC. Aug. 14–28. Remaining performances: Wed. Aug. 24, 7:15 p.m.; Thu., Aug. 25, 615 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 26, 9:30 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 28, noon. (866) 468-7619 or www.fringenyc.org.